Top 10 Things About Australia to Love

So you are thinking of moving to Australia? Whether your move is temporary or more permanent I guarantee there will be lots of things you will love (and maybe some things you won’t love so much) about living in Australia.

After over year here these are my top 10 things about Australia that I love! (Of course these are very individual to me so some may not appeal to you!)

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE WEATHER

Number one has to be the weather – one of the main reasons given by people emigrating to Australia. Whilst I know some people prefer the cold and wet and miserable grey days in the UK (I don’t believe them – do you?) there is something absolutely fantastic about living in a country with sun! Yes that round orange ball appears in the sky every day just like in the Uk. Except here you can see it.

The weather patterns are obviously not the same all over the country. The tropical north of Australia have just 2 seasons – the wet and the dry. Most of Australia has 4 seasons which are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. Each season lasts 3 months and winter in Queensland is a LOT different to winter in Victoria.

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

This really does go hand in hand with the wonderful weather. Here you can plan an activity at the weekend and be fairly certain you will be able to do it. We love packing a picnic at the weekend and heading to a beach or a park. Here outdoor areas are set up with tables, BBQ’s and covered seating. Everything is free.

There are also swimming pools (lagoons) that are accessible to all. These are even manned by life guards, have changing rooms, toilets, sitting areas and cafes. Brisbane excels in this area with South Bank. South Bank has a beach and pools and it a fantastic place to spend a day in the summer.

If you enjoy walks/hikes there are some great places to go (and you may be lucky to see some wildlife too). There are loads of National Parks to visit. We loved visiting Eungella National Park to see platypus in the wild and Cape Hillsborough to see kangaroos when we lived in Mackay. Now we are living in Brisbane we are exploring the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Hinterlands.

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE WILDLIFE

Some people focus on is the creepy crawlies when moving to Australia (huntsmen spiders anyone!!) but actually when you get here its all the other amazing wildlife that will be on your mind. Who doesn’t want to see a koala? A kangaroo? An echidna? A patypus? Come to Australia and you will see animals that are only native to this continent!

We have loved seeing so many wonderful animals and birds here. While out for breakfast the other day I videoed hundreds of white parrots as they flew around in front of me and landed in the tree where I was standing. This is just one of the things I love about Australia and it was one of the things I was looking forward to the most-

Consistently voted one of the top beaches in the world is Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. With good reason – the white, soft sand and beautiful clear waters totally blew us away. We can’t wait to go back!

We have only recently started exploring the Gold Coast and we loved Burleigh Heads. The beach is fabulous and you get a great view of Surfer’s Paradise too. Popular with surfers and with a great cafe culture Burleigh Heads should be on your itinerary if you are visiting the Gold Coast and surrounding areas.

Noosa’s main beach on the Sunshine Coast is one of the only beaches in the east coast of Australia that faces north. Its gentle waves and white sand make it a perfect beach for families and those learning to surf. There are cafes and restaurants along the boardwalk so you can enjoy the views whilst lunching in the warm sunshine!

Noosa, Whitehaven and Burleigh Heads

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE OUTBACK

I love the outback. It is one of the most special places I have ever been. Only 3% of the population of Australia live in the area classed as the outback. Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit the outback as much as I would like we were lucky to be able to travel to Uluru recently. I would highly recommend a visit if you can – we plan to travel to see King’s Canyon next time too – as it is an experience you will never forget.

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE BIG THINGS

Ok this is a very personal one but I LOVE Australia’s big things! So far I have seen 5. There are over 150 and they range from fruit to people to objects and more! So I have a few more to see! There are big things to see in every state and territory and I will admit I will go out of my way to see them.

As you can see big fruit feature quite a lot!!!!!

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: THE FOOD

Well probably more specific than that – breakfasts! Australia really do breakfast. It is like a gourmet feast and at the weekend having breakfast out al fresco at one of the many cafes and restaurants is the norm. Even better if it is by the beach!

The fruit is pretty good here too though you really do need to get used to eating it only when in season. It isn’t like the UK where any and all fruit is available all the year round in Tesco. Here you need to be seasonally aware – or pay a steep price!

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: SUNSETS

Any list of things I love about Australia has to include sunset! The sunsets are nothing short of spectacular here. I have literally hundreds of photographs of sunsets because nearly every night it is stunning.

The light at dusk and dawn is incredible and with the light comes the sound of the birds. Hundreds (thousands) of birds roosting or waking makes quite a racket!

Hervey Bay at sunset Courtesy of Megan!

THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA TO LOVE: EPIC ROAD TRIPS

Unless you want to fly driving large distances is going to be the norm. Catching a flight here is a bit like catching a bus in the UK – it is so easy. Make sure to sign up for airline loyalty programmes to start collecting air miles as soon as you can it is definitely worth it! The main airlines you will find in Australia are Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.

This is also the land of the grey nomad. Selling up and buying a camper van/motorhome or caravan and travelling the country in your retirement is a popular lifestyle choice and one I really cannot wait to try! Camping is a popular weekend and holiday activity here too so even if the thought of owning a caravan is something you would never have considered in the UK don’t dismiss it until you get here as you may find the weather and general lifestyle makes a caravan a tempting consideration!

THE SHEER VARIETY AND BEAUTY OF THE SCENERY

Tropical rainforests, palm trees and white beaches to semi-arid landscapes to mountain ranges to islands and more. So much to see and enjoy and with the beautiful weather you will really enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle in a truly spectacular part of the world!

Australia is home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island and Kakadu National Park. You really are spoilt for choice here when it comes to natural wonders.

JOIN MY NEW FACEBOOK GROUP FOR ALL MY EXPAT TIPS AND INFO ABOUT LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

She has lived and worked in 7 countries on 4 continents and travelled to over 50 more. A qualified school teacher with an interest in history, reading, photography, nature and wildlife she is always planning her next trip (preferably by train)

Through down-to-earth stories, tips and advice (based on her own extensive knowledge and experience of life as an expat) she aims to support new and prospective expats to survive and thrive in Australia.

With a lifetime of travel experience, and a network of friends all over the world, she is also able to share genuine insider guides, recommended best book lists and train journey inspiration to help you travel authentically to some of the most beautiful places on earth.

24 Comments

Great post, great pics. I live on the Sunshine Coast & as I type I’m “working” out of my favourite offsite “office” – Mooloolaba Surf Club – overlooking another north facing beach. After having lived in Aus my entire life, whenever we go back to the UK to visit hubby’s family it feels as though the sky is too close. When you say how some people from the UK prefer the grey I laughed – on a flight to Dubai the other week I was sitting next to 2 women who’d been out for the Commonwealth Games. I asked how they enjoyed Australia and they said ‘oh, not at all – we can’t be doing with that sun all the time.’ Lol. Thanks for linking up this week. #TeamLovinLife

As a born and bred Aussie who has lived in Brisbane all my life, I have to agree with your Top 10 wonderful things about Australia. I love our country and our lifestyle. I don’t know any different. Perhaps if I did, I’d love it even more. Fabulous photographs! Lovely to meet you Tracy! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

Based on your descriptions, I have to say Australia (at least the area where you live) reminds me a lot of Southern California. We have great weather, a love for the outdoors, good food, sunsets and beaches. Plus, it is easy to take road trips or find different scenery. I would love to stop by Australia and enjoy everything the country has to offer!

There really is so much to love about Oz isn’t there! The outdoor lifestyle was one of my favourites as well, I used to watch people playing tennis before work and cricket after work, there were outside gyms along beach fronts, it was just great. So glad to hear you are enjoying as much as we hoped you would #feetdotravel

Perfect place, everything I would want myself -from road trips, good weather to nice beaches. Uk has some wonderful places but what’s lacking big time is good weather to be able to enjoy those magnificent places and views. You have some amazing photos there. #feetdotravel

Tracy you have got it in a nutshell! Australia has all of these wonderful attributes, plus I feel we’re a fairly safe country and the people are generally very easy-going and friendly. I love that you love my beloved country! #TeamLovinLife

Ah, this is a lot like my list! Great minds. The weather is such a huge factor, people make fun of me for moving for sunshine but seriously, it makes such a difference! Even now heading into Australian ‘winter’ I’m very sad that the lovely summer heat has gone away. Luckily we still have the sun every day, and the blue skies make the whole thing much more bearable. How lucky we are to live here!

As I was reading this Dorothea Mackellar’s poem, My Country, popped into my head. It’s the one with the regularly used 2nd verse – I love a sunburnt country…. Do you know it? Have a read Tracy and let me know what you think. I think she had it down pat. Loved reading this. You made me homesick though. 😉

Those beaches though – for me it´s already enough to move! lol The weather is also a great bonus, I mean – I love rain but I also live in Spain (where it´s always sunny) and I guess, if I was based somewhere in the UK – I´d have a different opinion about that! Sun matters more than we realize! #feetdotravel

Great things to do in Australia. I would love to see Uluru in the outback, beaches, World Heritage sights and so much more. Weather I see plays a big part. I pinned this to my board to use when I visit Australia. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel

G’DAY!

Spending over 40 years living and working in 7 countries across 4 continents has given me a unique perspective on expat life.

In this blog I share practical tips, advice and experiences of expat life in Australia. I also include supportive, reflective and informative posts addressing the practicalities and ups and downs of moving countries.

For those who seek authentic travel my focus on real experiences of living, working and travelling in many of the most beautiful countries around the globe, detailed world-wide destination guides and comprehensive reading lists will help you achieve your goal.

PROUD MEMBER OF

PIC OF THE MONTH – GOLD COAST

BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

JOIN 14000+ OTHERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

WHERE IN THE WORLD AM I?

BRISBANE

Disclaimers and Amazon Associate Disclosure

Tracy’s Travels in Time is a participant in affiliate programs of respected travel brands, including Booking.com, Get Your Guide and Trusted Housesitters amongst others including being a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com When you purchase a product or service by following a link on our site, your price remains the same though we may be compensated.

When Tracy’s Travels in Time receives consideration for a story or review, it will be noted in that post. Unless otherwise noted, all views and opinions are my own, and are based on my experiences.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

disable

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.